Most of us know that regular cardio workouts will strengthen your heart and lungs, burn calories, and boost your mood. But what is the best cardio workout? There are many to choose from, including walking, jogging, running, cycling, and swimming, to name a few. These are all wonderful options but they’re also outdoor activities, and it’s obviously not always possible (or even advisable) to exercise outside. Thankfully, there are a variety of indoor machines that provide excellent cardiovascular exercise. Two of the most popular are the treadmill and the elliptical trainer.

But which one is better?

The answer to that question depends on several factors which we’ll explore below. The good news is, Adventure Fitness Athletic Club has both treadmills and elliptical machines at our Thornton gym, as well as many other cardiovascular options, so that you can have access to all the equipment you need to get a great workout.

Who should use a treadmill?

Treadmills allow you to walk, jog, or run on a moving conveyor belt. This versatility makes treadmills a fantastic choice for avid runners and walkers who want to avoid going out in bad weather or when it’s dark.

Advantages of using a treadmill

Other advantages of using a treadmill include:

• It can be adjusted for the exact speed and incline you want for your workout.
• You can track your mileage, pace, and even calorie burn.
• It can be used for weight loss.
• It can help you train for a specific event like a 5K or 10K race.
• If you’re not the type to run for an hour, you can program your treadmill for a shorter HIIT workout by setting intervals and rest periods.
• It can push you to maintain a certain speed thanks to the conveyor belt staying at the velocity you set. When you run on pavement, it can be tough to push yourself to maintain the same pace throughout your entire run.
• It’s effective at strengthening your lower body, especially if you raise the incline of the machine.
• You can watch TV while you work out, which can help you take your mind off the redundancy.

Disadvantages of using a treadmill

While a treadmill offers a variety of workout options to help you achieve your cardiovascular fitness goals, these machines are not for everybody. The main disadvantage of using a treadmill is the impact on your joints. While running on a treadmill creates less impact than running on asphalt, anyone with an ankle, knee, or hip injury should avoid treadmill use. Running on a treadmill can even cause joint injuries or aggravate chronic conditions like arthritis.

The other disadvantage of treadmills is that they only work out the lower body. The elliptical, on the other hand, also targets upper body muscle groups.

Who should use an elliptical machine?

On an elliptical machine, you stand with your feet on two platforms and move them in the shape of an ellipses, which is an elongated circle. While your feet rotate, you hold onto two pole-like handles and pump them back and forth in the same rhythm as your feet. The handles and foot platforms are connected so that both your arms and legs can work to keep the elliptical going. 

Advantages of using an elliptical

Elliptical machines have two main advantages over treadmills:

• Ellipticals train more muscles—The first main advantage of using an elliptical is that, compared to a treadmill, an elliptical targets muscle groups in both the upper and lower body.

• Ellipticals are low-impact—The second main advantage of using an elliptical is that it provides a low-impact workout, which means it’s a perfect cardiovascular option for those who have overtrained, aching, arthritic, or injured joints. If you need a break from high-impact workouts, or are trying to avoid injury, an elliptical is a solid alternative.

In addition to providing a more comprehensive and lower-impact workout, elliptical machines offer several other perks:

• They allow people with joint injuries to maintain their fitness levels.
• Studies show that working out on an elliptical burns as many calories as working out on a treadmill.
• You can go forward or backward on the machine. Moving backwards on an elliptical isolates your hamstrings and glutes for a great bum-busting workout.
• You can adjust the resistance to provide an easier or harder workout.
• You can engage your upper body more to give your arms, shoulders, and back a better workout, or you can use the machine hands-free to work your core even harder.
• You can perform HIIT workouts on an elliptical which is beneficial for weight loss.
• Some ellipticals allow you to change the incline.

Disadvantages of using an elliptical

With all their advantages, elliptical machines come with some downsides, too. For example:

• It takes time to get used to an elliptical, as the movement can feel awkward and unsteady.
• Ellipticals won’t provide the same muscle development that a treadmill does. If you want to build muscle strength, it’s advisable to add weight training to your elliptical workouts.
• Elliptical machines don’t give you a functional workout, which means they won’t help you gain the coordination, balance, and flexibility you need for real-life movements.
• Not all ellipticals are created equally. It takes less work to operate some ellipticals compared to others.

So, which one is better?

Now that we’ve explored the advantages and disadvantages of treadmills and elliptical machines, which one is better for you? As previously stated, it all depends on your physical health and personal fitness goals. No matter which one you choose, they’ll both provide you with a beneficial cardiovascular workout.

Adventure Fitness Athletic Club has a vast array of cardiovascular equipment to choose from—including several treadmills and elliptical machines—and our team is here to help you decide on the best equipment to use to reach your fitness goals.

To find out more about our treadmills and ellipticals, and to learn why AFAC is considered the best gym in the Thornton area, stop by or call our team. You can also call Susan at 720-849-0245 or email her at susan@adventurefitness.club.

To read more articles from Adventure Fitness Athletic Club, check out our Adventure Corner blogs by clicking here.